The four watched as Orio Santers slammed the door behind his most recent disciple.
"Il Ji, do you know? Do you know how long I, Orio Santers, have slaved and laboriously studied in this place? I have worked here as a Creation Master for over 300 years, dammit! And I'm not going to let you take the very first [Primordial] rank Research Lab in this forsaken Beast Association Center!"
"Good."
"Yes, you heard me, you- wait, what?"
"I said I'm glad. I don't have the respect here yet to do such a thing, that's why I need your name. Besides, I already have a fullly paved [Primordial] pathway- all I need is the various materials to implement it. I'd rather work my first research goal out on my own."
Orio's jaw hit the floor. "Little brat, I nearly just had a heart attack. What did you just say?"
Il Ji opened the portal to his soul space. A small egg floated out. "This is Dovewun. Dovewun, meet Orio Santers, my master. Orio, Dovewun is a [Primordial] rank Butterfly that has obtained the [Primordial] ability, [Reincarnation Memorial]."
"According to the description, [Reincarnation Memorial] allows the skill holder to retain all memories, skills, and fate enlightenments upon reincarnation, no matter what."
"Using the copied memories, I was able to work with Myria to exploit her Haora Bug's abilities as well as the federation's 12 ruler's pockets."
He looked at the gawking Orio expectantly. "What, did you think I convinced the Warden Queen give me her prized [Myth] Beast with my looks alone?"
Il Ji flipped his hair for added effect. "I mean, I aaaaamm handsome…"
He then proceeded to dodge the flying shoe.
"Brat, how are you so lucky?"
"Who knows?" Il Ji flipped his hair again. "Maybe I'm the ultra-handsome scion of a long-fallen empire, and my destiny is to seek revenge and destroy all that befell them."
He dodged the second shoe.
"I have my boots in the back." Orio added.
"…In that case, would you like to meet my family and friends?"
"…..Sure, kid."
Orio held up the door for his new disciple.
His friends, however, were still gawking at the 100-foot beast towering above their heads. Il Ji smiled.
"Laila, Sebastian, Maya, and Minata. Meet my master, Orio Santers, and the beasts for his [Archaic] Research Project, the [Mystic Saurians]."
"Nice to meet you sir!"
"So you're the one my big brother chose?"
"I'm glad to meet you, esteemed Creation Master."
"He-llo…"
Orio Santers clapped his hands together. "It is good to meet you all as well! I heard something about competition?"
Sebastian stepped up. "Research Head, we have indeed all signed up together to present as a team for the duration of the Chronos Cup."
Orio grunted. "I see. ….Il Ji brought you here today because he obtained some priceless things. I'm told he trusts all of you enough to consider working with you and giving you these gifts. Treat him well."
The four team members agreed with candor.
"Laila, Maya, these are for you." Il Ji pulled out two [Soul Awakening Fruits].
As they ate them, Il Ji began to describe the effects. "The [Soul Awakening Fruits] will allow you to awaken your [Soul Space] much earlier than your school friends. In addition, it will give you a better chance at awakening a higher-ranked skill."
"Sebastian, this is for you; it will pair well with Lily, as well as your [Spell Spider]." Il Ji then handed over the second [Support Tamer Soul Fruit].
"Minata, this is for you." He handed over the [Oracle Soul Fruit].
Once the fruits were eaten, he passed out five of the [Beauty Soul Fruits], enjoying one himself.
"Minata, Laila, and Maya, you each get one of these [Aerial Combatant Soul Fruits]. As for you, Sebastian, here's a [Ground Combatant Soul Fruit]. ….And now that you're done chewing, here's a [Beast Rider Soul Fruit] for each of you."
"Maya, here's a [Pyromancer Soul Fruit]."
"Laila, you've done a great job eating, but I need you to eat this stack right here as fast as you can. There's a [Beast Tamer Soul Fruit], [Insectomancer Soul Fruit], and a [Creation Master Soul Fruit]."
"My five are right here. I saved the Insectomancer, Beauty, Chaos Magician, Tyrannic Muscle, and Beast Rider Soul Fruits for myself. I also have a few others that I will explain at a later date."
Il Ji popped the [Soul Fruits] into his mouth. As usual, they tasted great.
"…Yep. Only one left."
"Orio, I'd like to bring my sister back here tomorrow to take the exams."
Orio held his head in resignation. "Yeah. Yeah, just go for it, kid."